13 yr old with high temp and very stiff neck

[Davespecifico]

But she doesn’t have (yet) rash or aversion to lights. She has been sick one evening yesterday, she’s very hot, sleepy and dizzy. She also says her eyes feel stiff.
I will obviously keep checking for meningitis symptoms but wonder if the stiff neck can be attributable to a milder condition. When I google fever and stiff neck, only meningitis is mentioned.

I've had meningitis without a rash. I'm now fine, hope if it is meningitis that she is too x

Sorry I meant I did have a rash but it passed the glass test

The rash didn't appear on me until I was unconscious. As others have said, medical attention straight away.
I hope she ok.

Friends dc only presented with slightly stiff neck & mild temperature- was meningitis- go now.

I agree it's not worth the risk take her to A&E or a walk in.

I'm guessing the OP is on her way to A&E 🤞

Seems likely she's en route. Thank goodness!

My DD had this 8 weeks ago - turned out to be glandular fever but docs first suspected tonsillitis.

It is unlikely to be anything more sinister but like pps have said - best to be checked out at the doctors.

Hope she feels better soon.

Hope your DD is being seen now.

My DD has similar symptoms when she had glandular fever but it’s always worthwhile getting it checked out.

Please see someone soon OP and I say that as a 4th year med student after I read the neck stiffness in the thread title.

These ARE the emergencies that the Emergency Department is for. Hope you are there with your DD now.

Any news OP?

Hello. Thank you all for your prompts which made me move quick.We have been at A and E since just after I posted and we’re staying overnight. I’m sleeping on a chair!
At the moment, I don’t think they’re thinking meningitis but her protein and white blood cells are high. Her pulse was 130 when we arrived but ok now. She’s also had antibiotic fed in and has eaten for first time today. Thanks again.

Glad she’s being seen.
Hope all is ok with her

I hope she's okay.

I'm glad you got her seen OP. I hope she's soon on the mend. 💐

Glad to hear you took action and hoping all is well.

[flower]

So glad you went. Mumsnet is great for this when people really need seeing

So glad you have been seen hope she has a speedy recovery.

Hope she is bouncing back now.

Really concerns me that so much emphasis is placed on looking for a rash, and the glass test. As PP's have said. A rash is a very late sign.

My DS had all these symptoms with a really bad bout of tonsillitis. It was terrifying. He seemed so unwell. We took him straight to a&e once he said his neck was stiff. Definitely the right call.

However I had no idea tonsillitis could present in such a way. At no point did he have a sore throat. Just a very sore and eventually very swollen neck. Days of real lethargy and high temps until the antibiotics kicked in. I just expected tonsillitis to be so much milder!

Good decision OP. As others have said, rash is one of the last symptoms. Hope she's feeling better soon.

Glad to hear she was seen promptly and wishing her a speedy recovery.